In the beleaguered eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), UNICEF reports a tragic surge in sexual violence, with armed groups targeting children. Young boys and girls, some as tender as 12 years old, are not only victims of rape but are also coerced into joining the fighting amidst the chaos created by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. As conflicts escalate, the horrors unfolding in provinces such as North and South Kivu have reached a disturbingly high level, prompting calls for immediate action to halt the violence.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasised the alarming frequency of grave violations against children. “In North and South Kivu provinces, we are receiving horrific reports of grave violations against children by parties to the conflict, including rape and other forms of sexual violence at levels surpassing anything we have seen in recent years,” she stated. This chilling reality reflects a conflict that has spiralled out of control, with M23 rebels advancing southwards after capturing Goma.
As violence reigns, local health facilities report a shocking five-fold increase in rape cases within just one week in January. Approximately 30 percent of these cases involve children, while many survivors remain silent, fearful of the consequences of coming forward. Russell shared heartbreaking survivor accounts, including that of a mother whose six daughters were systematically assaulted while foraging for food, painting a picture of despair.
UNICEF’s communication chief, Lianne Gutcher, revealed that of the 572 reported rape cases, 170 victims were children. “It is suspected that all parties to the conflict committed sexual violence,” she noted. The recently intensified fighting poses an additional risk, as hundreds of children have become separated from their families, making them more vulnerable to further trauma.
Reports indicate that over 1,100 unaccompanied children have been identified in the conflict-crippled Kivu provinces in the last fortnight alone. With the M23 offensive broadening, the recruitment of children into armed conflict is expected to escalate, with accounts of 12-year-olds being enlisted. Russell urges all parties involved to cease the horrific rights violations against children, as humanitarian concerns deepen amidst the ongoing turmoil in this resource-rich nation.
UNICEF has reported a disturbing rise in sexual violence against children in eastern DRC, particularly as armed groups, including M23 rebels, expand their control. Children as young as 12 are being raped and coerced into combat, with alarming reports of these events emerging from North and South Kivu provinces. The humanitarian crisis deepens as many children are separated from their families, increasing their risk of violence and exploitation.
The plight of children in eastern DRC is dire, with UNICEF highlighting the heartbreaking increase in sexual violence amid armed conflict. The calls for immediate action are clear as the vulnerability of children escalates with the ongoing recruitment by armed groups and the separation from families. The world must rise to protect these innocent victims and put an end to the pervasive horrors they face.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
